Dear doctor;

Ever since I turned 16 I have been finding more and more grey hairs. This is really beginning to worry me now. I now have quite a lot of grey, particularly around the temples. Is there anything I can do to improve the situation? I don’t really want to dye it all the time. Claire, 22.

Dear Claire,

I understand your concern but you are not alone. Premature greying of hair is not only your problem but of many other teenagers globally. There are many factors responsible for it. Diet deficient in iron, iodine, copper and B. Complex, use of harsh chemicals for setting of hair, hair dyes, warm water for washing hair, recurrent cold, chronic sinusitis, are some of the reasons responsible for depletion of melanin and lustre of hair, 

causing dry look and greying. Apart from this, there are hereditary factors, mental stress and anxiety which can cause grey hair at an early age. Rarely, endocrine disorders such as thyroid disorders, chronic anemia, cancer, among other chronic illnesses can also alter hair colour. But in these conditions, there would be features of underlying disease as well.

Unfortunately, once greying starts, it is usually irreversible. But some measures can stop the progress. Avoid taking fast foods, foods rich in sugar, or fats. Increase consumption of fresh green vegetables and fruits, yoghurt and fat-free milk products, whole grains and nuts. Use of ghee or coconut oil to massage scalp, use of natural dyes such as henna, curry leaves, among others can help in preventing further greying.